Apparatus for chemical cleaning



No. 608,792. Patented Aug. 9, 1898. A. F. PLATT.

APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL CLEANING.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1897.)

(No Model.)

w VEN r00 v4.4? 9% V 3; A TTORNEYS WITNESSES with ALFRED F. PLATT, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO.

APPARATUSFOR CHEMICAL CLEANING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,792, dated August9, 1898.

Application filed March 19, 1897.; SerialNo. 628,242. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED F. PLATT, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Chemical Cleaning and Settling Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification, the principle of the invention being herein explained andthe best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, soas to distinguish it from other inventions.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used.

In the said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a broken perspectiveview of my improved apparatus, showing one form of support. Fig. IIrepresents a transverse vertical sectional view of the apparatus. Fig.III represents a top plan view. Fig. IV represents a broken perspectiveview showing a second form of support. Fig. V represents a detailperspective view of the deflectionplates, and Fig. VI represents a planview of a modified form of the support shown in Fig. I. Y

The apparatus consists of a receptacle or tank A, supported on asuitable stand or support 13. The said tank is preferably maderectangular in longitudinal section and has its longer sides convergingtoward the bottom in order to require the least practicable amount ofliquid to fill it. the tank is made to enlarge into a settlingbasin A,preferably of curvilinear cross-section, forming thereby a contractedneck between said basin and the main portion of the tank. Intel-posedbetween the said basin A and the upper portion of the tank aredeflection-plates C, which are formed of longitudinal metal sheets orplates 0, extending from end to end of the tank and joined transverselyby the cross-pieces c. The wholestructure of the deflection-plates ismade independent of the tank, so that it may be easily removed, andwlren'in place all the plates are in an upright position. On the top ofthe deflec=- tion-plates C is placed a rectangular sieve or perforatedsheet D, which fits the inside of The bottom of the tank quite snuglyand may also be easily removed. 7

A cock E is located in the side of the tank and above the basin A, andanother, E, in the side of the tank communicating with the basin. Athird cock F. is located in the bottom of the said basin, whereby thecleaningliquid may be drained off and the settlingbasin cleaned out.

In the upper part of the tank are fastened four lugs a, two near eachend, which receive removable transverse supports a of suitable material,one at each end. A board F is laid upon these supports, the shape ofsaid board being varied according to the shape of the material or objectto be operated upon. Fig. I illustrates a rectangular board, and Fig. VIrepresents a board used formaterial wider at one end than at the other.

Two bearings G are riveted to the end walls of the tank, and journal aroller or drum G, which is substituted for the board when long pieces offabric, such as rugs or carpets, are operated upon. In using the rollerthe fabric is laid across it and permitted to dangle into the tank, andsuccessive portions may be then brought into a convenient position to beoperated upon by merely rotating the roller.

A steam-coil H surrounds the tank and is usedto keep the liquid fromgetting too cold in cold weather.

A suitable cover J is provided to prevent the rapid evaporation of theliquid when the apparatus is not in use.

The cleaning liquid is poured into the tank to a convenient height andis dipped up in the usual manner and applied to the object or ma terialto be cleaned.

In ordinary apparatus after a small number of cleanings have taken placea considerable amount of solid matter, which is expurged in the cleaningoperation, is found in the liquid and renders it unfit for use. wereallowed to settle, the agitation of the liquid on renewing the operationwould engender currents and stir up the deposit which has settled at thebottom and almost i1nn1ediately disseminate throughout the liquid,rendering it deleterious and compelling its frequent renewal, thuscausing considerable delay in the work. When volatile solvents areused-such as naphtha,&.'c.a large amount If itof waste throughevaporation takes place, rendering the operation very dangerous onaccount of the high explosive qualities of this waste. In my improvedapparatus, however, the solid matter is permitted to settle in thebottom of the settling-basin, inasmuchas the neck and thedeflection-plates, through the medium of its narrow cross-section andthe upright transverse and horizontal plates, render the settling basinsubstantially independent of currents formed in the upper liquid byagitation on its renewed application. The said currents striking theplates will be rendered ineffective in the basin, and hence will notstir up the sediment at its bottom, as is readily seen, and the narrowneck of the basin prevents solid matter from rising after having onceentered.

The apparatus works successfully without the aid of thedeflection-plates, the inwardlyprojecting sides of the tank at the neckactin g, in a measure, in that capacity, though not so efficiently asthe plates. The sieve or perforated plate D prevents any loose articlefrom falling through to the bottom of the basin. By these means the lifeof the liquid is prolonged far beyond the life of a liquid used in theordinary apparatus, and when volatile solvents are used for cleaning thedanger from explosion is reduced to its minimum.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means covered by any one of the followingclaims be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention- 1. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of areceptacle adapted to contain the cleaning liquid and provided at itsbottom with a settling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in saidbasin substan-- tially independent of longitudinal and transversecurrents in the upper portion of the receptacle and means located insaid upper portion of the receptacle, adapted to support the object ormaterial to be cleaned, substantially as set forth.

2. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacleadapted to contain the cleaning liquid and provided at its bottom with asettling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in said basinsubstantially independent of currents in the upper portion of thereceptacle, a perforated plate or sieve located in said upper portion,and means located in said upper portion and above said plate or sieve,adapted to support the object or material to be cleaned, substantiallyas set forth.

3. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacleadapted to contain the cleaning liquid, and formed at its bottom with asettling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in said basinsubstantially independent of currents in the liquid in the upper portionof the receptacle, and a roller journaled in said upper portion andadapted to support the object or materialto be cleaned, substantially asset forth.

4. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacleadapted to contain the cleaning liquid and formed at its bottom with asettling-basin, deflection-plates interposed between said basin and theupper portion of said receptacle adapted to prevent currents in theliquid in the said upper portion from communicating with the liquid insaid basin, and a roller journaled in said upper portion and adapted tosupport the object or material to be cleaned, substantially as setforth.

Signed by me this 13th day of March, 1897.

ALFRED F. PLATT.

Attested by A. E. MERKEL, DAVID T. DAVIES.

